Finally, a recipe that you can make days before Thanksgiving. Easy make-ahead cranberry sauce. You literally have no excuse to serve cranberry sauce out of a can when it only takes 15 minutes and 3 ingredients to make it homemade and so delicious. This is the easiest and most stress-free Thanksgiving recipe ever.
Ingredient Notes
To make this classic Thanksgiving sauce, you will need to gather these simple ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- orange juice - this adds a really nice flavour that balances out the tangy cranberries.
- granulated sugar - you could also use brown sugar
- cranberries - I used fresh cranberries, but you can easily use frozen.
- pinch of cinnamon - this is an optional ingredient, but it adds a nice warming fall flavour.
You will also need a small saucepan.
How to Make the Best Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
So there are basically 3 simple steps. That's right, 3 steps.
- Dissolve the sugar. The first step is to heat the orange juice and the sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil.
- Add cranberries. The second step is so add the cranberries and allow the mixture returns to a boil and simmer on low. When the mixture is simmering, you will notice a popping sound. This is because cranberries "pop" or burst when heated. Just be careful to avoid any any splashing when the cranberries burst. Once the cranberries have burst, you can add a pinch of cinnamon (optional).
- Chill the cranberry sauce. Remove from heat and mash with the back of a spoon until desired consistency is reached. Let mixture cool at room temperature. Then, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.
How to Serve Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a staple for Thanksgiving dinner, along with a Whole Roast Turkey (or Turkey Breast) and Gravy, and all the classic Thanksgiving side dishes. Some of my favourite sides to serve are:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
Some of our other favourite sides to serve in the fall and during the holidays are:
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Roasted Shallots
Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Corn Pudding
Cranberry Chutney
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
More Thanksgiving side dishes →
How to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
When I host Thanksgiving dinner, I usually make double the amount of cranberry sauce, because I find it's always better to have extra than to run out. Plus, when you make extra, it means that there are always leftovers, which makes for the best leftover cranberry sauce recipes. Here are some ways I use up leftover cranberry sauce:
- Make delicious baked goods such as cranberry sauce oat bars, leftover cranberry sauce muffins with oat streusel topping, and cranberry sauce swirl pound cake.
- Serve it for breakfast over top of pancakes with a side of whipped cream, as a jam spread over toast, or on top of cinnamon and walnut porridge.
- Spread it in a sandwich with leftover turkey and make leftover thanksgiving turkey sandwich.
- Add it to yogurt and granola and make a parfait.
More leftover cranberry sauce recipes →
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- How to store: Store cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- How to freeze: Once cooled to room temperature, store cranberry sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
- 15 Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes
- Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
- Small Thanksgiving Menu for Four
- 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- 15 Thanksgiving Bread Recipes
- 25 Best Thanksgiving Desserts
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This recipe was first published in 2016. It has been completely updated with new photographs and tips.
PrintRecipe
Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 + ¼ cup sauce
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Take the stress out of the holidays and prepare easy make-ahead cranberry sauce days before the big holiday dinner.
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz. cranberries, fresh or frozen
- pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, pour in the orange juice and add sugar. Cook on high until the mixture boils. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the cranberries and bring mixture back to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes, until the most of the cranberries burst.
- Once the cranberries have burst, add a pinch of cinnamon (optional).
- Remove from heat and mash with the back of a spoon until desired consistency is reached.
- Let mixture cool at room temperature. Then, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.
Notes
How to store: Store cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
How to freeze: Store cranberry sauce in an airtight container or freezer back and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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Stephanie L Brooks says
I have made this sauce for two or three years now and always feel so accomplished having something already done for Thanksgiving a few days before! It's such an easy recipe and tastes delicious!
Rebecca Derrah says
I had high hopes for this recipe but it was really sweet. I am not a "sweets" person but I enjoy cranberry sauce. I think this recipe could be fine tuned by cutting the sugar some, at least for me. I hoping to save the sauce by cutting it by adding more cranberries?? I'll tweak it. The sauce did have a good flavor if again, not for the overpowering sugar.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you for sharing! I'm sorry that you found it too sweet. It really depends on personal preference, but I have found that this amount of sugar is the favorite from personal experience and amongst our readers.
Rexy Ashe says
What kind of orange juice should you use
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Any kind of orange juice works, homemade or storebought (try to stick to 100% orange juice with no extra sweetener).
Judy Avenson says
We made this for Thanksgiving dinner 2018. My 11 year-old daughter made it and had so much fun. It was fabulous and was a hit. I never understood the interest in cranberry sauce before, but now I'm hooked. This will be on our menu every year.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
That's awesome! So glad your daughter had fun making this! Love reading comments like this 🙂
Christine says
I made this last thanksgiving and it was absolutely delish! Everyone is excited to hear that it’s on the menu again this year! Thank you for sharing! It really couldn’t be any easier. I will never buy canned jellied cranberry again!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
That's amazing to hear! Happy Thanksgiving!
Crystal says
Can maple syrup be substituted for sugar? If so,would I use the same amount? Thanks in advance!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Hi Crystal, yes you can substitute maple syrup for sugar however only use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of maple syrup, or more to taste.